What is Outboard Abuse?

[enlightphoto]

New member here reading through lots of older threads. I came across one thread where JB (a Moderator) made the following comment that seemed to really stand out. He says he could go one for a page or two, and I'd love to hear what others would add to his list. I think this could be a great thread to have in the Engine FAQ page.

So here's the list. What would you add to the list that could be classified as Outboard Abuse? What else goes in the "You should also NEVER EVER Do (Fill in Blank)..." List?

JB Wrote:

Just an old guy's opinion, but outboard engines don't just die. They are killed by abuse or neglect. Most of the time the abuse or neglect is unintentional, caused by ignorance.

Don't change the impeller each 2 years? Neglect.
Don't use the correct fuel mix? Abuse.
Don't use the correct spark plugs, correctly gapped? Abuse.
Don't take the engine out of service at the FIRST sign of trouble? Abuse.
Don't properly prepare the engine for storage? Neglect.
Crank the engine without cooling water? Abuse.
Don't have and use both the OEM Owner's Manual and Service Manual? Abuse.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

don't change the lower unit oil, in the fall before the 1st freeze. neglect.

if you don't change the lower unit plug washers when changing oil. neglect or ignorance.

storing motor in up postion, ignorance.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

Hey tas, what do you mean the up position? Sitting on the transom with the lower unit as high as it will go?

Mark

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

How about not owning a chart of the waters you'll be traveling in? And following that up by learning how to use it! Amazing how a $15 chart can save a $2000 lower unit!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

exactly, motor should be stored in it's normal running postion. thus water does not remain in the lower unit.

 

[enlightphoto]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

Tas:

Thanks for the answers, but I'm confused on #2.

It reads like if you DO change the washers at oil change is abuse. Is this correct? If so, why?

Or, should it read if you DON'T change the washers ... then it's abuse?

Newbie mind would like to know...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

went back an editied it, some don't know they need to change them, some just don't as they don't have new in hand.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

1) How about reving the engine over 2000 RPM while in neutral -- on the water or on muffs -- especially with a two-stroke.

2) Continuing to operate the engine when the overheat or oil related warning horn sounds.

3) Continuing to operate the engine when the tell tale quits.

4) Spraying ether or other starting fluids into a two-stroke engine to get it started rather than fixing the issue.

5) Owning a service and/or owners manuals and not reading it/them.

6) Using the wrong oil or wrong fuel/oil mix.

7) Making adjustments or attempting to perform maintenance when you have no idea what you are doing (see #5).

8) Not asking for help when you are in over your head (with or without #5).

9) Not understanding the basic systems of your engine so you can tell when something is amiss. -- This falls into the irresponsible category. It can also result in engine damage because you don't have a clue, which can also place passengers at risk because of an on-water incident.

10) Not knowing the difference between ft/lb and in/lb and not using a torque wrench where necessary.

I guess a couple of these were already listed -- sorry 'bout that.

11) Using the wrong tool for the job.

12) Taking engine advice from a well meaning neighbor who knows what a "dip stick" looks like but can't seem to find it on your two stroke motor.

13) Can't remember "righty-tighty" -- "lefty-loosey" so constantly breaks fasteners.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

Installing the wrong spark plugs -- deliberate abuse.

Lugging -- deliberate abuse.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

I'm guilty of a couple of those above recently and almost all when I was younger.
Here's one I'm sometimes guilty of because I'm too darned cheap!
--Running a known slightly bent prop or not checking prop regularly for fishing line or other seal-cutting stuff. Negligence?
JBJ

 

[pecheux]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

Besides all the posted referals, I ve been told by my OB mecanic friend that the biggest abuse in actual usage of an OB is to let it run over max Rpm while prop is out of water. Seems this happens mostly when the OB kicks out of water from hitting something while at WOT and it would seem that it wont take much time from over rpm to ruin an engine.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

this is outboard abuse ......

 

[BruceAML]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

Abuse is not installing the correct parts.
Abuse is using a cheap oil so you can save money. All oils are not the same.
Abuse is not warming-up your motor for at least 3 minutes.
Abuse is removing the thermostat so it "will run cooler".

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

DeeJayCee - That's the FUN kind of abuse! Well, fun if you don't consider the fact that you're only a couple feet away from having those prop marks up your back!! I've never had them hit my motor, but I have had prop marks on my boat. I guess that's what happens when you got two boats fighting for a one boat space....
- Scott

 

[larky]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

I'm not sure how to post a link, but if you go to youtube and search for "pimp my merc". in that video there is a slow motion scene where they are jumping outboard boats. sure would be fun, but not with mine just another form of outboard abuse

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

hehehehe ... i must say it was a fun day ........

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

here is the link you were looking for ........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJl11QBNrPk

 

[jbjennings]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

This?----Although it looks like they did a pretty good job of abusing this beautiful ol' merc. Saw this on a current ebay ad. This guy didn't want to look at his motor-----he wanted to USE it. Sure is ugly, though.

 

[Lakester]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

hello,

years ago i saw on a boating safety brochure those prop marks cut on the back of a guy who was swimming underwater where a speedboat ran the swimming perimeter and he was underwater coming up...

not a pretty site.

cuts back bone in about 1/2 dozen places or so.

i never forgot the pix of that accident.

regards

lakester

 

[DJ]

Re: What is Outboard Abuse?

The movie: Live and Let Die-James Bond. They wrecked over 100 Evin. 135's trying to get that one jump right.

Plus, all the above^^^^^^^^.